In the 50s and 60s like many other boys, I built models--airplanes, ships. It never occurred to me that I would become a model.

You became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you welcomed the message in the midst of severe suffering with the joy given by the Holy Spirit. And so you became a model to all the believers...They tell how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God.

--1 Thessalonians 1:6,7,9 TNIV

Imitators. Models. Discipleship, Christ-following is learned behavior. The Thessalonians came to faith and grew to maturity by imitating Paul and his companions. Now Paul points out to them that they now are indeed models to others. It's how "Christian Education" truly works. Not to discount the Sunday School classroom, but modeling is how the faith grows.

You are a model, an example. By the way, we all are modeling something, the question is what.